Birds

Birds are an important — and highly visible — part of the ecosystem. Bird watching is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the United States, generating sizable economic benefits. An estimated 63 million Americans feed birds at home, and more than 24 million travel to watch birds.

Birds are important ecologically as well as economically. They are vital links in many food webs, and often serve as biological indicators of overall ecosystem health. There are numerous organizations that work toward bird conservation. Through activities such as wetlands protection, coastal management, protection of aquatic resources and regulation of pesticides, government organizations and special interest groups contribute to the conservation of birds and their habitats. (Source: EPA / Photo: Flickr)